• The Pennsylvania Area Emergency Communications Plan is intended to provide area members with specific guidance concerning the delivery of emergency communications services.

• This plan applies to all Pennsylvania Area NAVMARCORMARS radio stations and members.

• It shall be the policy that MARS communications resources may be employed to support civil disaster requirements, so long as they are not required to support emergency communications requirements of the Department of the Navy, subject to the following:
  • 3.1 MARS resources should be requested by civil and/or disaster control officials. Requests should be made to the Chief, NAVMARCORMARS via the Area Director. This does not preclude the use of MARS resources pending the official request and the acknowledgement.
  • 3.2. MARS assistance will complement but not substitute for other Emergency communications resources.
  • 3.3 MARS support shall be provided only until such time as it is no longer required or until normal communications are restored.
  • 3.4 MARS resources made available to civil and/or disaster control officials are subject to no authority other than that of their superiors in the Military chain of command.

• The provisions of this plan will be executed whenever Annex D to the NTP8(C) and/or Annex C to the Northeast Area Operations Guide are implemented by CHNAVMARCORMARS or other competent authority. Any Pennsylvania Area MARS member may effect local implementation when requested by military or civil authorities in accordance with NTP8(D)Draft and Northeast Area Operations Guide. Implementation for local or the Area shall be through the Area ECOM Chain of Command – NNN0GCP TWO or NNN0GCP.
• The following Pennsylvania Area ECOM frequencies will be used:
  • NFL (Primary)
  • NDK (Secondary)
  • NCG (Additional frequency if needed)
• Two or more Area MDS reps should be designated. These individuals shall be responsible for relaying the Area traffic to the MDS.

• Pennsylvania Area emergency networks will operate in accordance with NTP8(D) Draft and Northeast Area Guide, Chapter Five. To avoid congestion during periods of heavy traffic, maximum use should be made of available frequencies and digital modes.
• Each NECOS should assign an alternate NECOS which will maintain a log equivalent to that of the NECOS and will be prepared to assume control of the net if the NECOS is required to leave the frequency.
• The NECOS controls the flow of traffic in the net. Traffic should be handled in order of precedence. Messages of equal precedence are normally handled in the order listed unless circumstances or common sense dictate otherwise.

• In order to provide a phased response to emergency situations, the communications conditions (COMMCON) and actions required by NTP8(D) Draft, D400 apply. Communications conditions are set by message from the Area Director or higher authority. The message will include a brief reason for setting the condition and may set a different condition for part of the region.
• Swift notification of other area stations is critical. Use any means available to provide the quickest results. Telephone, HF radio, VHF radio, Amateur Repeaters and Email are just some of the possibilities. Refer to the area roster for telephone numbers.

• When a request for emergency communications is made by competent/bonafide authority (FEMA, Office of the Governor, Red Cross, County Disaster Officials, etc) and ECOM Implentation Message shall be carefully composed by the station notified. Gather all information required for the implementation message. Care should be given to accurately document the facts. Continue to monitor your source of information. As required by the situation, it is absolutely necessary that you also provide for your own safety and that of your family.
• Implementation Message example is shown below:

  	
     OO NOASA NOASI NOASG  (not needed with the new routing program)
     DE NNN0VJN 020
     O 080019Z DEC 2000
     FM NNN0VJN PA
     TO NNN0ASA VA
     NNN0ASI SNE
     NNN0ASI ONE PA
     NNN0ASI TWO NJ
     NNN0ASZ GA
     NNN0AS3 VA
     NNN0AS3 TWO WV
     ZEN/NNN0GCP PA
     NNN0GCP TWO PA
     BT
     UNCLAS (ADD EXERCISE NAME IF A DRILL)
     SUBJ: ECOM IMPLEMENTATION
     1.  (CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING IMPLEMENTATION)
     2.  (NAVMARCORMARS SERVICES REQUESTED, YES OR NO, 
     NAME AND TITLE OF REQUESTER IF YES) 
     3.  (ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT REQUIRED, 
     YES OR NO, TO WHAT EXTENT AND SCOPE IF YES)
     A.	AREA – ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY STATE DIRECTOR
     B. REGION - ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY REGION DIRECTOR
     C.	NORTHEAST AREA – ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY AREA DIRECTOR
     D.	OUTSIDE OF AREA – ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY CHIEF, 
     NAVMARCORMARS
     4. (EXERCISE NAME IF A DRILL)
     BT
     NNNN
  

• Sent by stations at the scene at intervals of no more than six hours. Communications shall be sent at intervals specified by the area director who will in turn consolidate the reports and make a report to the Chief, NAVMARCORMARS.
• SITREP example is shown below:

  	
     PP NOASI              (not needed with new routing program)
     DE NNN0VJN 021
     P 080019Z DEC 2000
     FM NNN0VJN PA
     TO NNN0ASI SNE
     INFO NNN0ASI ONE PA
     NNN0ASI TWO PA
     NNN0AS3 VA
     NNN0AS3 TWO WV
     ZEN/NNN0GCP PA
     NNN0GCP TWO PA
     BT
     UNCLAS (ADD EXERCISE NAME IF DRILL)
     SUBJ: SITREP ONE (TWO, THREE, ETC.)
     1.	(BRIEF RESUME OF SITUATION IN DISASTER AREA)
     2.	(DESIGNATION OF NETS AND NUMBER OF STATIONS 
     PARTICIPATING IN EMERGENCY.)
     3.	(ADVISORY INFORMATION, RECOMMENDATION, NEEDS, 
     ETC.  BE BRIEF.)
     4.	(PROGNOSIS FOR THE NEXT TWO HOURS)
     5.	(OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION – PROBLEMS, 
     EQUUIPMENT PERFORMANCE, ETC)
     BT
     NNNN
  

SITREPS will be numbered consecutively until emergency is over. This will speed up the correlation of reports by higher echelons.
• Standard categories of information 1 through 5 in the text of SITREP will not be omitted. Lack of information or a negative report will be made using the following terms:
  • NO CHANGE – Used to indicate that the item is the same as previously reported
  • NEGATIVE – Used to indicate this category not applicable, not being used, or nothing to report.
  • NOT AVAILABLE – Information requested by this category not available at this time.

• Upon terminating an emergency net the NECOS will indicate “Terminate Emergency at (location). Securing the (net designator) net at (time).”
• See Northeast Area Operations Guide, Annex C.
• Sample Emergency Termination message:

  	
     RR NOASI                   (not needed with new routing program)
     DE NNNOVJN 022
     R 080456z DEC 2000
     FM NNN0GCP TWO PA
     TO NNNOASI SNE
     INFO NNN0ASI ONE PA
     NNN0ASI TWO PA
     NNN0AS3 VA
     NNN0AS3 TWO WV
     ZEN/NNN0GCP PA
     NNN0ASZ GA
     BT
     UNCLAS (ADD EXERCISE NAME IF A DRILL)
     SUBJ: OPERATIONS REPORT
     1. (NET DESIGNATOR USED)
     2. (TOTAL NUMBER OF PARTICIATING STATIONS)
     3. (TOTAL TRAFFIC COUNT SENT AND RECEIVED)
     4.	(TOTAL OF HOURS THE NETS WERE IN OPERATIONS)
     5.	(DATE/TIME OF OPENING NET AND SECURING OF NET)
     6.	(APPROPRIATE SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION  - 
     PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED, ECT.)
     BT
     NNNN
  

• The State Director or his/her representative will file a detailed report of the Emergency activity within his/her area, by letter to the Area Director no later than five days after the conclusion of such activity.
• Assistant to the Director for Emergency Communications (NN0ASI TWO) will be an information addee on all reports.
• Every instance try to be concise and to the point, but not so brief as to be incomprehensible to the addressees. Report the FACTS only. DO NOT report rumors and hearsay. Remember, our primary mission is in communicate information rather gather it.

• All exercise shall be made known to the Area Director and his/her Assistant for ECOMs in advance of the actual operations. Exercises outside of the Area’s regularly scheduled nets may be conducted up advance requests made to the Director.
• In submitting ECOM Exercise Reports, they will be similar to reports required for an actual Emergency except that “EXERCISE” or “EXERCISE (EEI IDENTIFIER)” will appear on the first line of text after the classification (UNCLAS).
• All State members should have a copy of the State ECOM Plan. The Pennsylvania State will have at least one ECOM exercise each quarter. Our primary purpose is to provide auxiliary communications on a local, national, or international basis as an adjunct to normal Naval communications.

   OO NOASI NOASA NOASG    (not needed with new routing program)
   DE NNN0VJN 024
   O 081800Z DEC 2000
   FM NNN0VJN PA
   TO AAN3EEI VA
   INFO NNN0ASA VA
   NNN0ASI SNE
   NNN0ASI ONE PA
   NNN0ASI TWO PA
   NNN0ASZ GA
   NNN0AS3 VA
   NNN0AS3 TWO WV
   ZEN/NNN0GCP PA
   NNN0GCP TWO PA
   BT
   UNCLAS
   SUBJ: ACTUAL EVENT/EEI (SUBJ LINE IS :MARS EXERCISE” 
   IF THIS IS A DRILL)
   1. REF (APPLICABLE EVENT IDENTIFIER: NAME OF STORM, ETC)
   A. SITUATION: (INCIDENT AND LOCATION)(WHAT, WHERE, WHEN: SPECIFIC 
   LOCATION OF INCIDENT AND TIME OF OCCURRENCE)
   B. MEDICAL FACILITIES: (STATUS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL FACILITIES)(HOSPITALS/
   CLINICS OPERATIONAL, DESTROYED, PARTIALLY DESTROYED. 
   WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE AREA, ETC)
   C. TRANSPORTATION: (LOCAL TRANSPORTATION STATUS)(ACCESSIBILITY OF 
   INCIDENT.  AREA: ROADS, BRIDGES, AIRPORTS, RAILWAY, ETC)
   D. DAMAGE/INJURED: (WHAT WAS DAMAGED)(BUILDINGS, CARS, FACILITIES, 
   NUMBER OF KNOWN INJURED, ETC)
   E. UTILITIES: (AREA UTILITY STATUS)(AREAS WITHOUT WATER, 
   ELECTRICITY, ETC.)
   F. COMMUNICATIONS: (LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS STATUS)(STATUS OF LOCAL 
   TELEPHJONE, RADIO, TV, ETC. AND IF UNAFFECTED, LIMITED 
   OR UNAVAILABLE)
   G. SOURCE: (SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND WHEN RECEIVED)(PERSONAL 
   OBSERVATION, TV, RADIO, SCANNER, ETC.  IF PERSONAL, 
   INCLUDE MARS CALL SIGN AND LOCATION (CITY AND STATE).  IF DISASTER 
   OFFICIAL, INCLUDE NAME AND AGENCY.  IF TV/RADIO STATION, GIVE CALL 
   SIGN AND LOCATION (CITY AND STATE))
   H. OTHER INFO: (REMARKS AND OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION)(IF NONE, 
   SO STATE)
   ACTUAL INCIDENT (USE “MARS EXERCISE” IN PLACE OF “ACTUAL 
   INCIDENT”)
   BT
   NNNN

• TO: eei@dod-mars.org